Bears narrow list down to six potential picks at No. 14

Posted by Michael David Smith on May 1, 2014, 7:48 PM EDT

AP

Like all NFL general managers, Chicago’s Phil Emery is tight-lipped about which players he hopes to draft next week. But Emery did pull back the curtain a bit on the process the Bears use to narrow down their list of potential draft picks.

Specifically, Emery said the Bears have identified six players they might pick in the first round, where Chicago owns the 14th overall pick. They’ve presumably eliminated the top tier of players — Jadeveon Clowney, Khalil Mack, Greg Robinson, Sammy Watkins and maybe a couple of others — as sure to be gone at No. 14. And they almost certainly won’t use their first-round pick on a quarterback after they gave Jay Cutler a huge new contract. Beyond that, they’ve got their list of six guys, and they’re hoping one or more are still around when the Bears are on the clock.

“Yeah, every day we keep narrowing it in terms of defining who that group is,” Emery said. “I’d be happy that two out of the six were on the board at our pick, and I’d be ecstatic if three out of the six were on the board at our pick.”

Sounds like a plan, but that is a fat list if you properly account for enough of the eventual picks, which sounds like they should definitely trade down and try to hit the back end of that range a little lower, or see where they stand with the next tier after that when that pick comes up.

larryboodry says:May 1, 2014 7:56 PM

Any one of the six mentioned here would be fine with me.

The NFL needs to move the draft back to where it used to be, in April.

gordfrancis32 says:May 1, 2014 7:59 PM

I’m hoping for Donald and if not him Dix, Mosely or Pryor in that order. But I think DT is the priority and safety 2nd round. Hard to pass on a Mosely or a Gilbert though if still available. If you can get a guy to be a starter for 6+ years on your team I think you nailed your 1st or 2nd round pick.

Why would he be ecstatic if three of their 6 picks were still on the board? They can only pick one…

Michael David Smith replies: I took that to mean if three of their six are still on the board at 14, they’ll try to trade down a couple spots to 15 or 16, pick up an extra late-round pick and still get one of the six guys they want.

I am not the smartest guy in the world, but something tells me Da Bears are going defense

isuhuskie says:May 1, 2014 9:53 PM

Emery mentioned converting a player… I have a sneaky suspicion he has his eye on Fuller from Va Tech (they did have him in for a visit) – and he would be thrilled to trade back and get him. Emery has closed (or partially plugged) some holes on defense, but they still need help.

However, there is nearly no depth on the offensive side of the ball. They are one injury away at several positions on the offensive side of the ball from being screwed. So they can’t go all “D” in the draft. They need more picks.

If those 10 are gone then the Bears are going to get one of their higher rated talents.

Bears fans are going to be watching the draft and cheering every time an offensive player gets drafted. The best possible start is for Manziel to go number 1 and for the QB race to start nice and early. Same for WR.

Man, there is really nothing to talk about this week since the draft got pushed back. The bears have 6 candidates for pick 14, the texans have not decided who to take at one, Manziel is terrible…wait he’s sensational, bridgewater sucks in passing drills but is awesome in games. Please push the draft back to the end of April!

Regardless of who the Bears take, it will be someone who no one really expects (did anyone guess he’d take McClellin or Long?). I wouldn’t be surprised if he takes a chance on Ra’ Shede Hageman or Jimmie Ward.

Looks like The Bears and Packers have similar needs. Its kinda frustrating, that the Packers first round pick is always far behind the Bears first round pick every single year. The Bears always seem to beat The Packers in the competition for higher first round draft pick.

If Donalds off the board. I wouldnt be suprised if Emery trades down to the 20’s. N drafts Bucannon in the 1st. He hits like pryor had dbl the ints that dix did last yr n hes bigger n faster than both. Plus it would b total emery suprise I.e. shea n long

“Looks like The Bears and Packers have similar needs. Its kinda frustrating, that the Packers first round pick is always far behind the Bears first round pick every single year. The Bears always seem to beat The Packers in the competition for higher first round draft pick.”

Y’all went 8-7-1 last year, the Bears went 8-8. Shut up already.

aldavis4president says:May 2, 2014 10:32 AM

I think Jimmie ward and Pryor are better than Clinton-dix. The bears should take A DT or mosley no matter what with their first pick, they go up against Peterson,lacy, and Bush/bell 6x a year. Basically they need to go defense with their 1st 3 picks and try to snag a steal Oline with their 4th pick. Who ever came up with the may draft should be fired immediately btw. Just my opinion.

Considering how wide open Randall Cobb was on their final defensive play of their season, I’m guessing the Bears might go for a DB, preferably one that doesn’t bite on a pump fake and stays on his feet.

Upon further review, the Bears still suck.

gbmickey says:May 2, 2014 11:41 AM

Ohh but Larry you will never get that beautiful TD pass from Rodgers to Cobb as Conte was totally made to look the fool out of your head will you? It ended your season in a heartbreaking way.

footballalldayeveryday says:May 2, 2014 12:50 PM

What is hard to understand here? If Detroit takes Bama’s C.J. Mosley, then they would have two people on defense that go by the same name.

If one Mosley is on the other team, how can they both get a sack on the same play…

woodsie1972 says:May 2, 2014 3:31 PM

The outstanding SAFETY from Alabama would be a great pick and be an impact player from the start.

I would not be surprised if Aaron Donald, the only smart pick, is there at 14 based on the more dire needs of other teams..even Dallas who some think will trade up, has so many holes and needs that taking one player barely helps them..especially after they just signed Melton. One player that seems to be invisible and yet is one that is an incredible athlete with the versatility to destroy running backs, WR’s, TE’s and QB’s is RYAN SHAZIER…and he could very well be around..WE NEED A LB RIGHT? He will impact the defense far more than Pryor or Dix could and even has the speed to be a 3rd safety in certain packages..Now HE’s a first round pick that I can get excited about.